How the Panthers and chicken sandwiches taught me to love Penrith

Ah, Penrith. Home to the Nepean River paddle wheeler boat, the Penrith paceway and the three-peat NRL premiers. When people say you’re rough around the edges (or dare I say bogan), they just don’t understand your charm. At the core you’re an honest, hard-working town populated by honest, hard-working people.

High Street, Penrith.Credit: James Brickwood

I made the long move (30 minutes) from my mum’s home in the Blue Mountains to Penrith three years ago to move in with my boyfriend. This marked my first baby steps into adulthood. It was also where I spent those long pandemic years when I got to know my neighbourhood.

There is a lot to love about Penrith: relatively affordable housing and rent, proximity to the Blue Mountains as well as to the city and good quality locals. A lot has changed over the years not just in Penrith but in all of western Sydney since the announcement of the Badgerys Creek airport. While the delicious new restaurants, upgraded parks and the latest infrastructure developments are nice and were probably long overdue, I know that under all the shiny upgrades is still the same old thriving and passionate community I’ve come to love.

Our 2023 Penrith citizen of the year and Panthers legend Royce Simmons said it best when he said: “There’s no one greater than the people of Penrith.” The Penrith people are tough and resilient (you’ve got to be in this heat) and not ashamed to be spirited about their beloved Panthers or their work or their pub of choice. I wouldn’t want anyone else as my neighbours.

They are also generous in giving back to the community with organisations like Mama Lana’s Kitchen or our community pool providing free admission recently when temperatures soared into the 40s.

My second favourite menu item from Percy Plunkett is the classic chicken sandwich.Credit: Abby Seaman

Maybe once I might have felt embarrassed to say I’m from Penrith, but I’ve grown wiser. I should be praising my town for all the fond memories I have made living here and the impact it has had on my life.

Like all sage relationship advice, it’s not about appearance, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. And if you look inside Penrith I think you’ll find it’s a 10 out of 10.

Best café? Percy Plunkett is my go-to! The café is in a beautiful heritage building and is serving up the best coffee, juices and seasonal all-day menu. The carrot and sweetcorn fritters have my heart, but the classic chicken sandwich is a close runner-up.

Best restaurant? Tucked away up some stairs on High Street is the intimate Spanish and Portuguese fusion restaurant, The Union. Come for the tapas and stay for the jug of red wine sangria.

Best beach, park or pool? While I have yet to review the new Penrith “beach” my favourite park is by far the Weir Reserve. North of the Nepean River, it’s a quiet picnic spot that overlooks the weir or walk down to sit by the edge of the water. I’ve also learnt it is a bird-watching hotspot, which explains all the parkgoers with huge binoculars.

Penrith’s Weir Reserve.Credit: Abby Seaman

First place you take visitors? Aqua Golf!

Perfect night out in your suburb? Dinner reservation at Checho’s, a cute Instagrammable millennial pink-coloured Mexican restaurant for a margarita and a bite to eat. Then cross the road (literally – it’s just across the street) to Theo’s Rooftop Bar for cocktails and a better view of this beautiful city.

What would make your suburb better? I love summer as much as the next person, but sometimes Penrith feels like living on the sun.

Best secret spot in your suburb? Hi Pho. The restaurant is tucked away in an arcade corridor off Henry Street and they serve the best Vietnamese food. I once cried when I thought they had closed permanently, but they were just on holiday. Phew!